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101 Reasons to Live in Lake Chelan: #1

Reason #1: The Lake.

It may be obvious that the lake itself is our number one reason, but can you blame us? The 50.5 mile long, crystal-clear lake has stolen the hearts of people over and over again. Ask a resident of Chelan and they’ll most likely tell you they’ve been spoiled by the purity and beauty of Lake Chelan’s waters. In the summer, it’s an endless source of fun and relaxation. In the winter, it offers a serene, mirror-like reflection of the surrounding snow-capped hills. You can see why there are so many who want to build their life next to such a beautiful and unique body of water.

With a maximum depth of 1,489 feet, Lake Chelan is the third-deepest lake in the U.S., behind only Lake Tahoe and Crater Lake. The original spelling is “Tsillan” and the name itself means “deep water” in Salish. With much of the water being snow run-off from its main tributaries, the Stehekin River and Railroad Creek, these deep waters have an almost unparalleled clarity.

On a hot summer’s day, nothing beats a dip in the cool, refreshing water. Lake Chelan boasts a number of public beaches on both the north and south sides of the lake where you can wade in or jump from a dock, or simply post up lakeside with a good book and a great view. But we definitely recommend jumping in – this is some of the cleanest and warmest water you’ll find! We should warn you though: swimming in Lake Chelan might spoil other lakes for you in the future.

There are countless other aquatic activities to try out on the lake. Kayaking, canoeing and stand up paddle boarding allow you to take in the beauty at a leisurely, serene pace. If you seek a  little more adventure, a boat or jet ski will have you making waves on the smooth waters. Give wakeboarding or waterskiing a try, or stick to a trusty inner tube ride as you wind your way through the Cascade Mountains. Cruise uplake and slowly watch as the town gives way to the trees and mountains on the way to Stehekin. And don’t forget your fishing pole, of course!

In the off season, the water may be too cold to swim in, but there’s beauty in seeing the reflection of the changing seasons and weather on the placid surface of the lake. Whatever time of year, Lake Chelan always has a way of capturing our hearts.

It’s easy to see why we feel so spoiled here, isn’t it? The lake may be just one of the reasons to live in Lake Chelan, but it’s one most people will tell you was the reason they settled here. You’ll meet people from all walks of life in Lake Chelan; some have never called anywhere else home and some have only recently been drawn here. The one thing we all agree on is the significance and beauty of our lake. It may mean something different to each person, but it’s safe to say it means a lot to each and everyone of us.